Survey: CEOs Say Obama Would Be Disastrous

Business leaders in the U.S. overwhelmingly support John McCain over Barack Obama for the White House — and a resounding three out of four believe that an Obama presidency would be disastrous for the nation, a new survey reveals.

Chief Executive magazine conducted the survey of 751 CEOs in September and found that 80 percent of them support McCain for president, and just 20 percent back Obama.

Asked which candidate they fear, 69 percent of the executives named Obama, 14 percent chose McCain, and 5 percent said both.

The magazine stated that “74 percent of the executives say they fear that an Obama presidency would be disastrous for the country,” while “only 19 percent fear a McCain presidency.”

One CEO said: “I’m not terribly excited about McCain being president, but I’m sure that Obama, if elected, will have a negative impact on business and the economy.”

Another CEO quoted by Chief Executive said: “Obama has shown his inexperience in many of his ideas. Some of his planned programs would bankrupt the country within three years if implemented.”

The business leaders are especially concerned about Obama’s stated intention of increasing the capital gains tax.

“The stakes for this presidential election are higher than they’ve ever been in recent memory,” said Edward M. Kopko, CEO and Publisher of Chief Executive magazine.

“We’ve been experiencing consecutive job losses for nine months now. There’s no doubt that reviving the job market will be a top priority for the incoming president. And job creating CEOs repeatedly tell us that McCain’s policies are far more conducive to a more positive employment environment than Obama’s.”

The survey also disclosed that the CEOs gave Obama a D-plus grade on “Economics/Fiscal Policy.” McCain received a B-minus. He also got a B-minus on “Tax Policy,” while Obama received a D.

Business leaders in the U.S. overwhelmingly support John McCain over Barack Obama for the White House — and a resounding three out of four believe that an Obama presidency would be disastrous for the nation, a new survey reveals.Chief Executive magazine conducted the survey...